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For the current or aspiring entrepreneur, the process of setting goals can serve as a blueprint and a method of motivation for success. Owning a business can provide the vehicle to achieving personal goals, including accumulating wealth or becoming the first to reach specific accomplishments. To help you clarify your particular work or business goals, some examples may stimulate your thought process.

Time Goals

Work and business goals can include a time element. For example, when your business is still in the planning stage, your goal may be to have your business idea operating within six months. Your time goals could also relate to the growth of your business, such as becoming the largest car dealer or dry cleaner within a five-year period. Ambitious goals will help create the drive to get there, but be careful to not set unrealistic timetables for yourself.

Education Goals

Your personal goals may include reaching certain educational or professional development plateaus that can aid you in your business venture. If you're a public accountant, your goal may be to pass the CPA exam. If you're a paralegal at a small law firm, you may involve pursuing a law degree at night so you can become a practicing attorney at the firm, and eventually, a partner. Online courses have greatly expanded the opportunities and flexibility for advancing your professional education.

Personal Income

Goals can relate to personal income. You may have a specific income level you want to reach after each of your first five years in business. If you're a commissioned sales person, you might want to reach a specific level of commission or a number of units sold by the end of the year. You could also look to increase sales by a certain percentage for each year you're in business.

Being First

Your goal may be to become a business pioneer. For example, you may wish to become the first female doctor in your town or the first to open her own construction company. You could also strive to be the first to operate a specific type of business in your area, such as a gourmet coffee shop, luxury car dealership or upscale restaurant. Seek out stories of other pioneers who have successfully broken barriers, as they can be an inspiration to your own efforts.

Developing Product

If you work for a product manufacturer, you may have your own ideas how to make the product or process better or for a new product that is currently not on the market. Your goal may be to invent and patent the product, and market it on your own by starting your own manufacturing business.